Resource Travel
  • Destinations
    • All AFRICA ANTARCTICA ASIA CENTRAL AMERICA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA OCEANIA SOUTH AMERICA SPACE

      6 Reasons Why The Sony RX0 II Is…

      Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The…

      A Conversation with Ami Vitale About Rhino Conservation…

      7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a…

      Braving The Extreme and Merciless Weather of Patagonia…

      Learning How To Relax in Punta de Mita,…

      Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts: See The Diverse Beauty…

      37 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit…

      10 Must-See Places in Norway

      71 Natural Hot Springs To Warm Up In…

      See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National…

      Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful…

      A Conversation with Ami Vitale About Rhino Conservation…

      What I Learned From Photographing a 16-Day Medical…

      Exploring Chefchaouen: The Urban Blue Pearl of Morocco

      An Adventure in Uganda: An iPhone Photo Story

      39 Photos That Will Inspire You to Safari…

      Inside a Photographer’s Rapid Physical Transformation to the…

      My Experience Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro as an Avid…

      An Adventure Through South Africa with Jarrad Seng

      Snow Falls in Sahara Desert Town for the…

      Giving Voice to Kenya’s Wildlife

      A Colorful Journey Through Morocco with an iPhone…

      11 Nights of the Milky Way From the…

      Live the Experience of Photographing a Polar Expedition

      A Look Inside the Darkness of the Sub-Zero…

      360° Video Takes Viewers to a Penguin and…

      What I Learned From Living in the Coldest…

      Aerial Film Shows The Dramatic And Untouched Beauty…

      27 Images of the World’s Most Remote Photowalk…

      Photographing A One Month Adventure in Thailand With…

      20 Lessons David DuChemin Taught Me About Travel…

      ‘A Portrait of Iraq’: See The Everyday People…

      The Story Behind Waves For Water and Their…

      See This Couple’s Incredible 3-Week Journey Through Thailand

      10 Days in India: 45 Photos of Chaos,…

      21 Photos That Prove Siem Reap, Cambodia Should…

      A Rare Look Inside North Korea’s Luxury Ski…

      No Cameras in Your Carry-On: Electronics Ban Confirms…

      Photographing Japan With a Leica M10 Is Like…

      Exploring The Natural Beauty of Camsur and Biri,…

      The Black Teeth of Thailand: Uncovering The Unusual…

      Learning How To Relax in Punta de Mita,…

      50 Photos That Show The Beauty of Everyday…

      Street Photography Tips for Your Cuba Adventure—Or Any…

      Exploring South Dakota’s Rugged Badlands National Park

      See the Milky Way Behind an Erupting Volcano…

      The 10 Best Photography Spots in Havana, Cuba

      The Phenomenon That Makes Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste…

      A Dog-Lover’s Dilemma In Nicaragua

      Hawaiian Nomadic Filmmaker Lets Us Discover the World…

      31 Days in Cuba with an iPhone 6s…

      The Untold Culture Of Cuba

      Over 100,000 People Watch This Traveler Assure His…

      10 Must-See Places in Norway

      The 13 Best Photography Spots in Oia, Santorini

      Experience The Vibrant Night Sky From La Palma…

      How to Get the Perfect Picture from 32,000…

      Finding Serenity in Lofoten, Norway With Photographer Mikkel…

      See The Extreme Difference Between Summer and Winter…

      Running 450 Miles Across Iceland For A Good…

      Under an Arctic Sky: An Interview With Chris…

      7 Tips For Taking Photos in a Blizzard

      A Dream Like Journey Through the Dolomites

      Disappearing Ice: Greenland’s Melting Ilulissat Icefjord

      See Why Italy’s Dolomites are a Must Visit…

      Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The…

      7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a…

      71 Natural Hot Springs To Warm Up In…

      See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National…

      Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful…

      A Sunset Cruise Around San Francisco on the…

      Meet the 16 Creatives in AdoramaTV’s ‘Through The…

      See the Massive Dust Storm That Swallowed Southwest…

      In Search of Grizzly Bears in Grand Teton…

      Finding Colorful Life in California’s Death Valley

      Experience The Beautiful Chaos of Los Angeles

      5 Reasons Why I Am Stoked For Treefort…

      37 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit…

      Three Girlfriends on a 10-Day Roadtrip Through the…

      Two Girlfriends’ 8-Day Roadtrip Along Australia’s Southern Great…

      Time-lapse Film Shows the Stunning and Diverse Landscapes…

      Film Explores The Beauty of New Zealand Winter

      Diving Into the Waterworld of Tahiti and Fakarava

      What 7 Days of Relaxation in the British…

      See the Festival That Transforms Sydney Into a…

      Michael Shainblum Captures The Natural, Photogenic Beauty of…

      Watch The Film That Will Inspire You to…

      Hawaiian Swims Dangerously Close to Massive Lava Flow

      Video Shows Why it is Important to Keep…

      6 Reasons Why The Sony RX0 II Is…

      Braving The Extreme and Merciless Weather of Patagonia…

      Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts: See The Diverse Beauty…

      13 Things You Must Do While In Peru

      Mountains And Storms: My Adventure in Patagonia

      In Argentina, a Gaucho Goes Global

      Win a Tour for Two in Torres Del…

      Experience the Ever-Changing Spring Weather In Torres del…

      A Two-Week Adventure Through Patagonia With Jason Charles…

      See the Stunning Night Sky and Vibrant Landscapes…

      Hawaiian Nomadic Filmmaker Lets Us Discover the World…

      Exploring the Beaches and Nightlife of Rio De…

      See Elon Musk’s SpaceX Rocket Light Up The…

      Hurricane Florence Looks Extremely Frightening From Space

      See the Aurora Borealis from 78,000 Feet in…

      Nighttime Map Shows the Dramatic Changing of Earth’s…

      This Stunning Video Takes You on a Mission…

      This New “Edge-On” Photo Shows a Galaxy’s Tough…

      See What it Would be Like to Land…

      See an Astronaut’s View of Earth During 534…

      The Story Behind These Mysterious Light Pillars In…

      11 Photos To Remember The Last Man On…

      Waking up Beneath the Stars in the American…

      11 Nights of the Milky Way From the…

  • Productions Of The World
    • Exploring Chefchaouen: The Urban Blue Pearl of Morocco

      Under an Arctic Sky: An Interview With Chris…

      Diving Into the Waterworld of Tahiti and Fakarava

      Snow-clad Solitude: A Winter Road Trip Through Idaho

      The Untold Culture Of Cuba

  • Meet The Writers
  • Newsletter

Resource Travel

  • Destinations
    • All AFRICA ANTARCTICA ASIA CENTRAL AMERICA EUROPE NORTH AMERICA OCEANIA SOUTH AMERICA SPACE

      6 Reasons Why The Sony RX0 II Is…

      Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The…

      A Conversation with Ami Vitale About Rhino Conservation…

      7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a…

      Braving The Extreme and Merciless Weather of Patagonia…

      Learning How To Relax in Punta de Mita,…

      Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts: See The Diverse Beauty…

      37 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit…

      10 Must-See Places in Norway

      71 Natural Hot Springs To Warm Up In…

      See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National…

      Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful…

      A Conversation with Ami Vitale About Rhino Conservation…

      What I Learned From Photographing a 16-Day Medical…

      Exploring Chefchaouen: The Urban Blue Pearl of Morocco

      An Adventure in Uganda: An iPhone Photo Story

      39 Photos That Will Inspire You to Safari…

      Inside a Photographer’s Rapid Physical Transformation to the…

      My Experience Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro as an Avid…

      An Adventure Through South Africa with Jarrad Seng

      Snow Falls in Sahara Desert Town for the…

      Giving Voice to Kenya’s Wildlife

      A Colorful Journey Through Morocco with an iPhone…

      11 Nights of the Milky Way From the…

      Live the Experience of Photographing a Polar Expedition

      A Look Inside the Darkness of the Sub-Zero…

      360° Video Takes Viewers to a Penguin and…

      What I Learned From Living in the Coldest…

      Aerial Film Shows The Dramatic And Untouched Beauty…

      27 Images of the World’s Most Remote Photowalk…

      Photographing A One Month Adventure in Thailand With…

      20 Lessons David DuChemin Taught Me About Travel…

      ‘A Portrait of Iraq’: See The Everyday People…

      The Story Behind Waves For Water and Their…

      See This Couple’s Incredible 3-Week Journey Through Thailand

      10 Days in India: 45 Photos of Chaos,…

      21 Photos That Prove Siem Reap, Cambodia Should…

      A Rare Look Inside North Korea’s Luxury Ski…

      No Cameras in Your Carry-On: Electronics Ban Confirms…

      Photographing Japan With a Leica M10 Is Like…

      Exploring The Natural Beauty of Camsur and Biri,…

      The Black Teeth of Thailand: Uncovering The Unusual…

      Learning How To Relax in Punta de Mita,…

      50 Photos That Show The Beauty of Everyday…

      Street Photography Tips for Your Cuba Adventure—Or Any…

      Exploring South Dakota’s Rugged Badlands National Park

      See the Milky Way Behind an Erupting Volcano…

      The 10 Best Photography Spots in Havana, Cuba

      The Phenomenon That Makes Costa Rica’s Rio Celeste…

      A Dog-Lover’s Dilemma In Nicaragua

      Hawaiian Nomadic Filmmaker Lets Us Discover the World…

      31 Days in Cuba with an iPhone 6s…

      The Untold Culture Of Cuba

      Over 100,000 People Watch This Traveler Assure His…

      10 Must-See Places in Norway

      The 13 Best Photography Spots in Oia, Santorini

      Experience The Vibrant Night Sky From La Palma…

      How to Get the Perfect Picture from 32,000…

      Finding Serenity in Lofoten, Norway With Photographer Mikkel…

      See The Extreme Difference Between Summer and Winter…

      Running 450 Miles Across Iceland For A Good…

      Under an Arctic Sky: An Interview With Chris…

      7 Tips For Taking Photos in a Blizzard

      A Dream Like Journey Through the Dolomites

      Disappearing Ice: Greenland’s Melting Ilulissat Icefjord

      See Why Italy’s Dolomites are a Must Visit…

      Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The…

      7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a…

      71 Natural Hot Springs To Warm Up In…

      See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National…

      Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful…

      A Sunset Cruise Around San Francisco on the…

      Meet the 16 Creatives in AdoramaTV’s ‘Through The…

      See the Massive Dust Storm That Swallowed Southwest…

      In Search of Grizzly Bears in Grand Teton…

      Finding Colorful Life in California’s Death Valley

      Experience The Beautiful Chaos of Los Angeles

      5 Reasons Why I Am Stoked For Treefort…

      37 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit…

      Three Girlfriends on a 10-Day Roadtrip Through the…

      Two Girlfriends’ 8-Day Roadtrip Along Australia’s Southern Great…

      Time-lapse Film Shows the Stunning and Diverse Landscapes…

      Film Explores The Beauty of New Zealand Winter

      Diving Into the Waterworld of Tahiti and Fakarava

      What 7 Days of Relaxation in the British…

      See the Festival That Transforms Sydney Into a…

      Michael Shainblum Captures The Natural, Photogenic Beauty of…

      Watch The Film That Will Inspire You to…

      Hawaiian Swims Dangerously Close to Massive Lava Flow

      Video Shows Why it is Important to Keep…

      6 Reasons Why The Sony RX0 II Is…

      Braving The Extreme and Merciless Weather of Patagonia…

      Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts: See The Diverse Beauty…

      13 Things You Must Do While In Peru

      Mountains And Storms: My Adventure in Patagonia

      In Argentina, a Gaucho Goes Global

      Win a Tour for Two in Torres Del…

      Experience the Ever-Changing Spring Weather In Torres del…

      A Two-Week Adventure Through Patagonia With Jason Charles…

      See the Stunning Night Sky and Vibrant Landscapes…

      Hawaiian Nomadic Filmmaker Lets Us Discover the World…

      Exploring the Beaches and Nightlife of Rio De…

      See Elon Musk’s SpaceX Rocket Light Up The…

      Hurricane Florence Looks Extremely Frightening From Space

      See the Aurora Borealis from 78,000 Feet in…

      Nighttime Map Shows the Dramatic Changing of Earth’s…

      This Stunning Video Takes You on a Mission…

      This New “Edge-On” Photo Shows a Galaxy’s Tough…

      See What it Would be Like to Land…

      See an Astronaut’s View of Earth During 534…

      The Story Behind These Mysterious Light Pillars In…

      11 Photos To Remember The Last Man On…

      Waking up Beneath the Stars in the American…

      11 Nights of the Milky Way From the…

  • Productions Of The World
    • Exploring Chefchaouen: The Urban Blue Pearl of Morocco

      Under an Arctic Sky: An Interview With Chris…

      Diving Into the Waterworld of Tahiti and Fakarava

      Snow-clad Solitude: A Winter Road Trip Through Idaho

      The Untold Culture Of Cuba

  • Meet The Writers
  • Newsletter
ASIAExtremePhilippinesTravel

NSFW – Penance Through Pain: A Look At Extreme Catholicism In The Philippines

by Joseph Albano July 19, 2016
written by Joseph Albano July 19, 2016
NSFW – Penance Through Pain: A Look At Extreme Catholicism In The Philippines

Warning: This story contains some graphic content which may disturb some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

The word “faith” has increasing degrees of meaning towards different groups of people.  Many take the word lightly; attributing it towards the basic beliefs and rituals associated with a religion.  On the other side of the spectrum, a small portion of  people takes that word through a radical change where it manifests and evolves into an extreme form of devotion.

The Philippines is the largest roman catholic country in Asia.  The majority of the population believe deeply in the religion to the point where the constant unwavering traffic of Manila becomes dull and quiet every Sunday morning as a large number of the population is attending morning mass.  Catholicism plays an everyday role in many Filipino’s lives because factors such as poverty and social stature are important issues of the country.  Being an underdeveloped country, a majority of the population face the struggles of trying to survive day to day. These constant challenges have made faith and religion important facets in these people’s lives for the hopes of a better future.  Many are dealt bad hands and have nowhere else to look except towards divine intervention. Others,  because of these hardships, perform acts frowned upon in society to get ahead of their current situation.  If people decide to reconcile for their wrong doings, they search for some sort of penance through a priest led confession.   However, there are those who go to the most extreme degrees of penance to seek forgiveness.

_MG_0548

During the holy week that leads up to Easter Sunday, a small portion of the Filipino population participates in these extreme forms of penance. The devout performs different forms of self-infliction of pain to achieve their vows of their sacrifice made with God.  The most common of these are self-flagellation and the reenactment of Christ’s crucifixion.  These performances have become so widespread and well known through the Philippines that there is a specific location that many people travel to witness it.

The host location for these live performances lies within the city of San Fernando, Pampanga. The entire city participates for Maleldo, the kampangan word for holy week, in one way or another.  The municipality oversees the entire week’s events and provides security during the staged performances.   Starting in the early 1950s as a play and staging of the Passion of Christ, these performances have transcended into much larger spectacles where penitents will participate alongside these performers.  Despite its origins as a reenactment, the penitents participation have increased the depth to its meaning.

The Penitents

Throughout out the holy week, especially on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, many penitents are seen throughout the town performing these acts of extreme penance.  While shirtless with masked faces adorned with floral crowns, the penitents inflict pain upon themselves through different forms throughout the entire day.  The most common of these is self-flagellation with a wooden tipped whip.  The participants will cut small incisions on their back and begin to whip their back from left to right for the entirety of a day to the point where the first layers of skin are eventually removed, and the blood-soaked whip spreads the excess droplets across the city.  The second most common form is the carrying of the cross.  Penitents will carry a cross through the entire city and make stops at different religious locations like churches and will be beaten by a stick of sorts.

_MG_0527

Penitents have small cuts placed on their back that eventually get larger when they continue to whip it.

_MG_0890

Penitents walk through the main streets before, during and after the Passion of Christ plays.

_MG_1000

Some of these penitents are ex-criminals who seek redemption for their past sins.  They feel that doing these extreme methods measures up to their own wrong doings.  Along with performing these rituals, many are tattooed with the likeness of Christ and other religious symbolisms.

_MG_0993

A tattoo of Jesus Christ on one of the penitent’s shoulder.

The Crucifixions

The main event of Maleldo are the reenactments of the crucifixion.  There are three main locations within the city that these crucifixions take place.  They happen at different times but there is a main reenactment that gains most notoriety due to the main actors long history of performing it.  These reenactments are performed along with a Passion of Christ play. These plays are performed by local organizations or schools along with a penitent volunteer as Christ.  One of these volunteers is Wilfredo Salvador, a local fisherman who has since participated in nine crucifixions.

_MG_0595

A portrait of Wilfredo Salvedor.

In his early years, Salvador was plagued with depression to the point where it affected his family as well as his own state of mind.  It tormented him for years until one day he decided to create a vow of sacrifice or penata with God.  According to Wilfredo, this sacred promise has helped create a better well being for him and his family; and he will continue to do these reenactments as long as he can physiclly do them, or as he says “God is willing”.  Salvador is only one of many who perform these rituals hoping to receive penance.

_MG_0622

Wilfredo smiles as we discuss his life on the morning of Good Friday.

The crucifixions all begin with the Passion of Christ play.  The Passion of Christ play are all the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.  It is reenacted by local actors from schools or other organizations and uses the entire town as the venue.  It is usually accompanied by strong narration and music that helps emphasize the intense nature of the play.  At the climax, the penitents are then nailed to the cross and are raised up to be crucified. They are left raised for a few minutes then brought back down to receive medical attention afterwards.

_MG_0645

Wilfredo begins to dress in white robes to prepare for the play and his crucifixion.

_MG_0574

Wilfredo shows the nails that will be put into his hands.

_MG_0657

The actors do one last prayer before beginning the play.

_MG_0685

_MG_0916

_MG_1005

_MG_1016

_MG_1036

Wilfredo is nailed to the cross.

Wilfredo Salvador, 58, portrays Jesus Christ in a reenactment of the Passion of Christ. The crucified are nailed and raised for a few minutes and then sent to a medical tent to receive treatment.

_MG_1118

The play continues even after the crucifixion has occurred.

Wilfredo continues to his unwavering faith even after he has been crucified.

Wilfredo continues to show his unwavering faith even after he has been crucified and placed on a stretcher.

Wilfredo is treated after his crucifixion and will continue on normally with his day afterwards.

Wilfredo is treated after his crucifixion and will continue on normally with his day afterwards.

Along with the scorching heat, these extreme acts of penance are intense and emotional experiences to witness first hand. Even though it may not be for the faint of heart or those whom fear being covered in blood, it is truly a once in a lifetime experience, and I feel lucky to have witnessed it first hand. In some people’s eyes, these reenactments and extreme methods of penance are seen as taboo. However, to those that perform it, it gives them a sense of redemption that has hopefully helped them to continue on with their lives.

4 comments
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Exploring the Ancient Inca City of Ollantaytambo, Peru in Three Days
next post
Exploring the Quiet Beauty of Grand Teton National Park

Similar Stories To Fuel Your Wanderlust

Shocking Photos From a Place Lightning Strikes 300...

May 19, 2016

Wasteland: Post-Apocalyptic Desert Festival Brings the World of...

May 24, 2016

Exploring the Eastern Cape of South Africa

August 8, 2016

From Painting to Photography: The Career of Nature...

April 25, 2017

Michael Shainblum’s Favorite Locations To Photograph The Milky...

June 30, 2015

New York’s Colorful Liveliness Captured in Vibrant 8k...

August 23, 2016

10 Travel Mistakes I Made in My Early...

January 12, 2017

Ethereal Aerial Film Captures Australia’s Majestic Pilbara

January 21, 2016

35 Photos That Will Get You Stoked for...

September 27, 2016

Happy Birthday Zion National Park!

November 19, 2016

4 comments

gamefly free trial May 2, 2019 - 5:31 pm

Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!

Cheers

Reply
download minecraft for free May 8, 2019 - 2:50 am

Appreciation to my father who informed me regarding this web site, this weblog is truly
remarkable.

Reply
g May 12, 2019 - 2:50 pm

Thanks designed for sharing such a fastidious thinking,
paragraph is fastidious, thats why i have read it fully

Reply
free minecraft download May 14, 2019 - 5:49 pm

I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous
blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Instagram

  • Happy Birthday @grandcanyonnps! We love this shot by @pinyonridgephoto of...
    3 years ago by resourcetravel Happy Birthday  @grandcanyonnps ! We love this shot by  @pinyonridgephoto  of an amazing storm passing through this massive and stunning canyon.  #ResourceTravel   #VisitArizona   #GrandCanyon 
  • Happy Valentines Day! ❤️ @cj_kale #ResourceTravel
    3 years ago by resourcetravel Happy Valentines Day! ❤️  @cj_kale   #ResourceTravel 
  • Photo by @michaelbonocore: “I finished editing my iPhone photos from...
    3 years ago by resourcetravel Photo by  @michaelbonocore : “I finished editing my iPhone photos from Guatemala, and I really feel that i did not do this amazing country justice. So I can’t wait to return in July to lead a team for  @thegivinglens  with my Sony camera and lenses. Do you want to come with me? Check out the link in my IG stories or link in my profile. Has anyone ever been to Guatemala? Let me know your experiences in the comments! I took this shot of  @laurrrajean  as the early morning light lit up the imposing Volcán de Agua behind Antigua. Surrounded by…
  • Photo by @amivitale. Just 12 hours left to enter to...
    3 years ago by resourcetravel Photo by  @amivitale . Just 12 hours left to enter to win a chance to visit the last two living female Northern White Rhinos in Kenya with  @amivitale !  @michaelbonocore  also interviewed Ami about her passion for rhino conservation and whether it is a fight she believes can ultimately be won. Read the interview and learn how to enter the contest by visiting the link in IG Stories or our profile.  #ResourceTravel   #Travel   #Rhino   #NatGeo   #NatGeoTravel   #Kenya   @olpejeta   @omazeworld 
  • Watching Twilight come in Mostar with @krystle.blackburn. Thanks for tagging...
    3 years ago by resourcetravel Watching Twilight come in Mostar with  @krystle .blackburn. Thanks for tagging  #ResourceTravel  Krystle!

Follow Resource Travel

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Popular Posts

  • 1

    A Colorful Journey Through Morocco with an iPhone 7 Plus

    November 17, 2016
  • 2

    11 Travel Photography Blogs to Start Following Today

    July 13, 2016
  • 3

    The 10 Best Photography Spots in Miami Beach

    February 16, 2017
  • 4

    18 Thought Provoking Quotes From Five of the World’s Best Photographers

    December 4, 2018
  • 5

    A Look Inside the Darkness of the Sub-Zero Antarctic Winter

    June 23, 2016

Resource Travel is a proud division of Resource Magazine

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Email

@2018 - Resource Magazine. All Right Reserved.


Back To Top